Oliver's life changes (1)

 

Oliver was taken to the nearest police station, The officer at the gate looked at the boy. 'Another young thief, eh?' He turned to the old gentleman, ' Are you the person who was robbed , sir?'

 

'Yes, Iam,' relied the old gentleman, 'but I'm not sute that this boy actually took the handkerchief. Idon't really want to take him to cout.'

 

'Too late , He must go before the magistrate now .'

 

Oliver was locked in a amall stone cell, which was disgustingly dirty and smelly . As the key turned in the lock, the old genteman said to himself thoughtfully, 'There's something in that boy's face... He could be innocent . Where have Iseen someone like him before?' Afte thinking ablut this for a few minutes , he said , 'No; it must be imagination.' He sighed unhappily, and began reading the book again.

 

Some time later, the officer touched his shoulder and told him that the court was ready. A  magistratewas a judge who dealt with small crimes in local courts , and the magistrate for this distict was well known. His name was Mr Fang and he was a disagreeable, bad-tempered man . Today he was in a particularly bad mood , He frowned angrily at the old gentleman, and asked sharply,

 

'Who are you?'

 

'My name , sir, is Brownlow.'

 

'Officer! What is this man charged with?'

 

'He's not charged , sir,' answered the officer, 'He's accusing the boy.'

 

The magistrate looked at Mr Brownlow from head to foot.'And what have you got to say?'

 

Mr Brownlow began to explanin. 'Iwas standing outside a bllkshop--'

 

'Be quiet, sir!' shouted Mr Fang ,'Policeman! Now--you arrested the boy . What happened?'

 

The policeman told the magistrate what he had heard , and how he had searched Oliver afterwards and foud nothing.